Government to cut active travel budget by £200m

The UK government recently announced a £200m cut to the active travel budget, which was initially rolled out to encourage more people to walk and cycle.

This initiative successfully took 14.6 million cars off the road in 2021; in turn, improving air quality and road congestion. 

Plus, the more active we are as a society, the more likely we are to avoid long-term health problems in the future. Thus, placing less pressure on our NHS.

As a result, the government has received significant backlash for its decision to slash the budget for active travel. 

Councillor David Renard, Transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association said:

“It is very disappointing that the Government is set to cut future funding for active travel by nearly £200 million.

“Councils have been at the forefront in creating new schemes, and have embraced the Government’s ambition that 50 per cent of all journeys in English towns and cities are walked or cycled by 2030, and for the UK to be Net Zero by 2050.

“Investment in cycling and walking is vital if we are to improve public health, tackle climate change and reduce congestion and the Government should urgently restore this much needed funding.”

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